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Will President Obama still choose Chuck Hagel, the suddenly embattled former Nebraska senator, as Leon Panetta's successor at the Pentagon? Several different comments came back to haunt Hagel since his name surfaced as the "likely" cabinet nominee, but over the long holiday weekend the opposition expanded from familiar Republican faces to a growing chorus. On Meet the Press, New York senator Chuck Schumer declined to say whether he endorsed Hagel's nomination, and while Politico's Mike Allen is already calling Hagel "toast," The Atlantic's Robert Wright and others quite rightly say the decision is still "in Obama's hands."

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White House Search for Next Defense Secretary Continues -- Daily Political
Flournoy for SecDef: Ten reasons the president should ditch Chuck for Michèle. -- Rosa Brooks, Foreign Policy
The GOP Likes Michèle Flournoy for the Wrong Reasons, But She's the Right Choice -- Molly Redden, New Republic
As Hagel’s star withers, will a blunt-talking policy wonk drop her kids to take the Pentagon? -- Times of Israel
Cabinet nod could be next for Harvard’s Ashton Carter -- The Boston Globe
Republican senators were for Hagel, before they were against him -- Josh Rogin, The Cable/Foreign Policy
Chuck Hagel: Why his candidacy for Defense post is losing altitude -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor

My Comment: Sen. Hagel's past comments have come to haunt him .... both Republicans and Democrats are going to oppose him but for different reasons. Michèle Flournoy does not want the job .... she has a family that she wants to be with, not in some committee room arguing with politicians over defense cuts. Ashton Carter is an interesting possibility .... he has the background on defense procurement and budgetary issues, but politically .... he is unknown.

Hmmmm .... maybe President Obama will be forced to ask Leon Panetta to stay on the job for another year or two. Unlikely .... but a possibility .... after-all .... that was the reason why Bill Gates stayed as Sec. of Defense for an additional few years .... no suitable replacement.